Supreme Court

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether their proposals to abolish the judicial function of the House of Lords and to create a Supreme Court for the United Kingdom include proposals (a) to abolish the judicial functions of HM Privy Council and (b) to make the Supreme Court the final court for the whole of the United Kingdom in criminal, civil, devolution and other cases.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: These are all issues which will be covered by the consultation paper which I shall publish on 14 July.

Supreme Court

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their plan for a public building for a new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Work on determining where to locate the new Supreme Court will be carried out in parallel with the consultation on the details of its form and functions. No decisions have been taken on where it might be located.

Supreme Court

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend the Supreme Court for the United Kingdom to determine Scottish appeals in criminal cases.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The consultation paper which I shall be publishing on 14 July will consider the jurisdiction of the new Supreme Court. bjc

North/South Ministerial Council

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House, and on the North/South Ministerial Council's website, all documents relating to North/South Ministerial decisions since 15 October 2002; and whether they will ensure that they are placed in a way that documents the steps taken by all parties to adhere to the process entitled Ministerial Decision Making Interim Procedures of 5 December 2002 and the letter from the Northern Ireland Secretary of State to David Trimble MP of 19 December 2002.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The papers relating to the decisions made up to 30 April 2003 under the exchange of notes of 19 November 2002 have been placed in the Library. Arrangements are also being made to have these papers made available on the North/South Ministerial Council's website.
	These papers were progressed in line with the procedures set out in the Interim Procedures where appropriate. I can assure the noble Lord that they have been progressed in a manner which fulfils commitments given by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in his letter of 19 December 2002 to the right honourable David Trimble MP.
	Papers relating to any further decisions made after 30 April 2003 under the exchange of notes will be placed in the Library on a regular basis.

Constitutional Change: Government Announcements

Viscount Goschen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they believe that a briefing to television journalists represents the most appropriate mechanism to announce proposals for constitutional change.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government follows the established practice of successive administrations in terms of reshuffle announcements and related restructuring.

Afghanistan: ISAF Personnel and ICC

Lord Howell of Guildford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Kingdom has now signed an agreement with Afghanistan to protect all peacekeepers who are British nationals from surrender to the International Criminal Court when it begins operations on 16 June; and how many other European states have signed similar agreements to protect their nationals.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: On 4 January 2002 the British Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) signed a Military Technical Agreement with the Afghan Interim Administration for the protection of ISAF personnel.
	The agreement was signed on behalf of the ISAF rather than in a national capacity. Other European states contributing personnel to the ISAF both at the time and since are covered by the agreement.
	The agreement provides that "ISAF and supporting personnel, including associated liaison personnel, may not be surrendered to or transferred to the custody of an international tribunal or other entity or state without the express consent of the contributing state".
	This is not inconsistent with the UK's commitment to co-operate with the ICC. The ICC's jurisdiction complements that of the states parties to the Rome Statute which set up the ICC. The UK is conscientious in enforcing respect for international humanitarian law among its service personnel. It is inconceivable that the UK would be unable or unwilling (as defined in Article 17 of the Rome Statute) to make its own investigation of an alleged offence within Afghanistan by a British member of ISAF, which might otherwise fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC.

Zimbabwe: Sanctions

Baroness Gale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether sanctions against Zimbabwe have recently been extended.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: With the support of Her Majesty's Government, the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 18 February agreed both Common Position 2003/115/CFSP and Council Regulation 313/2003. The Common Position extends EU sanctions against Zimbabwe for 12 months; clarifies the grounds for an exemption to the travel ban, and changes the procedures for granting an exemption.

Liberia: Sanctions

Lord Burlison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Nations sanctions against Liberia have been recently extended.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: With the support of Her Majesty's Government, the United Nations Security Council on 6 May 2003 unanimously adopted United Nations Security Council resolution 1478(2003). The resolution rolled over the measures that had been in place against Liberia (a travel ban against senior government officials and members of their immediate families, a diamond embargo and an arms embargo). The travel ban was also extended to members of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). In addition, timber sanctions were imposed against all round logs and timber products originating in Liberia. Sanctions against timber do not come into place until 7 July 2003.

North Atlantic Parliamentary Assembly:UK Delegation

Lord Brookman: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What changes have been made to the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the North Atlantic Parliamentary Assembly.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Baroness Ramsey of Cartvale has replaced the late Lord Gladwin of Clee CBE as a member of the delegation.

Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 fail to meet the non-regression principles set out in the European Union Race Directive; and what are the reasons therefor.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We do not consider that any of the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 fail to meet the non-regression principles set out in the European Union Race Directive.

Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the reasons why "national origins" were added to the definition in the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003, whereas the European Race Directive only specified "race and ethnic" origins.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: "National origins" were included in the definition in the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003, because current case law holds that these words, which already appear in the 1976 Act, refer to a person's country of birth (as opposed to nationality).

Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider the exclusion of "colour" from the grounds of unlawful racial discrimination in the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 to be compatible with the universal right to equality before the law for all persons, referred to in Recital (3) of the Preamble to the Race Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC); and, if so, what are their reasons.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We consider the omission of a reference to colour in the Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003 to be compatible with the universal right to equality before the law for all persons, referred to in Recital (3) of the Preamble to the Race Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC), to the extent that the omission of any such reference in the directive is itself so compatible.

Immigration Service Removal Centres: Children

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many children in families were held in removal centres in the United Kingdom in the first quarter of 2003 for:
	(a) 1–7 days;
	(b) 7–14 days; and
	(c) longer than 14 days.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information requested is not available and could only be obtained by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.
	Dungavel, Harmondsworth, Oakington and Tinsley House are the only Immigration Service Removal Centres (IRC's) that deal with family cases. An exercise was carried out on 2 April 2003 to assess the number of children under the age of 18 detained in these IRC's, the results of which are contained in the table.
	
		
			 Immigration Service Removal Centre Children under 18 years of age in detention at 2 April 2003 
			 Dungavel 21 
			 Harmondsworth 18 
			 Oakington 14 
			 Tinsley 3 
			 Total 56 
		
	
	Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, while alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight.

ODPM: Property Sector Consultation

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the arrangements under which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister consults the property sector.

Lord Rooker: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister carried out an internal review to assess how we could more closely involve the property sector in developing and taking forward our sustainable communities agenda. We also wanted to see how we could more effectively fulfil our role in liaising with the property and development industries, taking account of recent consultation about how best to consult across government on property issues.
	Among the major considerations in the review was the need to listen to the concerns of the property sector, to ensure that policy development takes account of market realities and to engage more fully with those able to deliver on our policy agenda. We decided that we need to overhaul our present machinery for consultation with the commercial property sector and to bring in those reponsible for funding and building new housing development, to ensure that we can address all aspects of our major plans for physical regeneration.
	This led us to the conclusion that we should replace our two existing bodies for consulting the commercial property sector, the Property Advisory Group and the Property Industry Forum, with a single new group, the Property Consultative Group. The Property Consultative Group will consist of representatives of the existing bodies on the Property Industry Forum, together with those from several other bodies, including house builders and funders. The group will meet regularly, with a Minister in the chair.
	The Property Consultative Group will be supplemented by working groups, which we will set up ad hoc to address particular issues in greater depth. The working groups will include other experts where this would be helpful as well as some of the members of the main group. They will give us continued access to high quality independent expert external advice, of the type that the Property Advisory Group has provided over a number of years. The scope to set up ad hoc working groups with a limited life span, and a membership specifically selected to address the remit of the group concerned, will give us more flexibility in obtaining advice on particular issues, especially those to do with the building of sustainable communities. Initially, we will be setting up working groups on funding and delivery mechanisms and on commercial property markets and leases.
	My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Housing and Planning has paid tribute to members of the Property Advisory Group for their considerable help to the office. In particular, he has thanked Robin Broadhurst for chairing the group over the past five years. Mr Broadhurst's second period of appointment is now ending, and we considered this would be an appropriate time to make these changes. The Property Advisory Group has played an important part in telling us about developments in the property market and in helping to ensure that new policy takes account of market practice. Ministers are very grateful to members for all their hard work and commitment. We will want to include some individual members of the group on the new ad hoc groups we are establishing, and we look forward to working with them. The group's final meeting will take place on 8 July and we will shortly publish its final annual report.
	The new Property Consultative Group will begin work on Monday 15 September, and the Minister of State for Housing and Planning looks forward to welcoming members to its first meeting. bjc

Iraq: Fatalities and Casualties

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the latest estimates to date of the number of:
	(a) civilians killed;
	(b) civilians wounded;
	(c) Iraqi service people killed;
	(d) Iraqi service people wounded;
	(e) coalition service people killed; and
	(f) coalition service people wounded as a result of military action since the beginning of the most recent war in Iraq.

Lord Bach: As of 30 June, 43 United Kingdom service personnel had died and 155 had become casualties since the start of coalition military operations against Iraq.
	Fatalities and casualties suffered by other members of the coalition is a matter for them to comment on.
	We make every effort to minimise any impact on the Iraqi civilian population but we have no means of ascertaining the numbers of Iraqi military personnel or civilians were killed or injured during the coalition's military action.

Iraq: Fatalities and Casualties

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the latest estimate of the number of civilians (a) killed and (b) wounded in Iraq, including the Kurdish self rule area, since the end of the recent major military activity, as a result of the detonation of unexploded ordnance; and whether they will review the use of cluster bombs in military operations.

Lord Bach: We have no means of ascertaining the number of civilians killed since the end of coalition's military action, but we are not aware of any proven instances of unexploded bomblets from cluster bombs dropped by United Kingdom aircraft causing fatalities.
	Cluster bombs are lawful weapons and are used by UK forces in a manner consistent with our obligations under international law against legitimate military targets on occasions when they are the most appropriate weapons system.
	We made every effort to minimise any impact on the Iraqi civilian population of the coalition's military action. UK aircraft employed cluster bombs only against fielded Iraqi military forces in the open or on the periphery of built up areas.
	There are no plans to change UK's existing policy on cluster bombs.

RAF Fylingdales

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 3 June (WA 131–32), why Section XVII of the Defence Act 1842 was not complied with when the bridleway at RAF Fylingdales was closed.

Lord Bach: Section XVII of the Defence Act 1842 was examined before the order to stop-up the western bridleway was made. Legal advice to the department was that the section did not require an additional bridleway to be provided.

Whitehall Statues

Lord Mackie of Benshie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who is responsible for the area in Whitehall containing the statues of three generals of World War II; and why the site is often full of litter.

Lord Bach: Responsibility for the area of grass between the Ministry of Defence main building and Whitehall rests with the PFI contractor for the redevelopment of main building, Modus Services plc. The paved area at the foot of the statues is the responsibility of Westminster City Council.
	However, although every effort is made to maintain its appearance, due to the volume of visitors in the area, the absence of litterbins and the adjacent building site, the ground can from time to time become somewhat untidy. Nevertheless, this question has been brought to the attention of Modus.

Iraq: Withdrawal of British Military Forces

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their exit strategy from Iraq.

Lord Bach: Our military campaign objectives contained a commitment to withdrawal of British military forces from Iraq as soon as is practicable.
	Nevertheless, we have committed ourselves to the long-term humanitarian, political and economic welfare of the Iraqi people. We will help them to restore effective representative government for all their people, to regain economic stability, and to reintegrate into the international community.

Defence Housing

Baroness Golding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to carry out a business review of the management and delivery of defence housing.

Lord Bach: A business process review of the management and delivery of defence housing is to be carried out by the Ministry of Defence. Following a scoping exercise, the review will commence shortly, and will complete in December 2003.
	The aim of the review is to examine the function, role, operation, funding and organisation of defence housing. It will seek to identify the most efficient and effective process to support the management and delivery of defence housing both in the UK and overseas.
	The review team will consult with a range of stakeholders during the course of the review including single-service customers, TUs, other government departments and other relevant bodies. The MoD is interested also to hear the views of other organisations or individuals who would like to make a contribution to the review.
	Those wishing to do so should send their contribution by 31 July 2003 to:
	The Defence Housing Review Team
	Ministry of Defence
	2nd Floor
	St Giles Court
	1–13 St Giles High Street
	London WC2H 8LD
	Or by email:
	dgmo-dmcs3@defence.mod.uk

Defence Housing Executive:Key Targets 2003–04

Baroness Golding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What key targets have been set for the Defence Housing Executive for financial year 2003–04.

Lord Bach: The following key targets have been set for the Defence Housing Executive for 2003–04:
	Key Target 1: To give notice of address within 10 working days of receipt of an application for accommodation for at least 75 per cent of applicants.
	Key Target 2: Less than 3.3 per cent of occupants should experience significant defects within 14 days of moving in
	Key Target 3: To complete the planned upgrade of 1,200 properties by 31 Mar 2004.
	Key Target 4: To complete— at least 95 per cent of emergency repairs within 24 hours of notification; at least 90 per cent of urgent repairs within five working days of notification; at least 95 per cent of routine repairs within two months of notification.
	Key Target 5: To reduce the management margin progressively towards 10 per cent by November 2005, to better balance supply and demand while delivering other key targets (the DHE's interim target for 31 March 2004 is to have a management margin of 11.4 per cent).
	Key Target 6: To reduce dissatisfaction: with the quality of the property provided as SFA by 1 per cent to 17 per cent of occupants by 31 Mar 2004; with the service that occupants receive from DHE personnel by 1 per cent to 19 per cent of occupants by 31 Mar 2004.
	Copies of the DHE's corporate plan will be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq: Al Majarr Al Kabir, 24 June 2003

Lord Clinton-Davis: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide an update on events in Al Majarr Al Kabir, Iraq, on 24 June 2003.

Lord Bach: On 24 June last week, in another place, my right honourable friend the Defence Secretary informed the House that six Royal Military Police soldiers had been killed, and eight other United Kingdom service personnel had been wounded in incidents in Iraq earlier that day. Since then, we have been working hard to establish what took place. It may be some time before we have a full picture; indeed, we may never know with absolute certainty precisely what happened.
	However, we will do all we can to establish the facts, and to hold to account those responsible. Accordingly, we have launched an investigation, and the Special Investigation Branch has appointed a senior investigating officer. We are also looking at the wider, operational aspects of what took place, to determine whether there are any lessons we need to learn. It may be some time before this work is complete, and we do not therefore intend to respond to every piece of media speculation or conjecture in the interim.
	It would, however, be right for us to set out our current understanding of events leading up to, and on the day of the incidents themselves. In doing so we should point out that our understanding may change as new information comes to light.
	The RMP were engaged in assisting with the regeneration of the local Iraqi police service by ensuring that they had proper training, equipment and infrastructure to operate as professionally as possible. This task included routine visits to police stations in the area. The police station in Al Majarr Al Kabir is one of a number that the RMP planned to visit last Tuesday.
	Al Majarr Al Kabir is a town of approximately 60,000 people, situated to the south of Al Amarah, in Maysan province. The town has always been fiercely independent and was free of Saddam's regime by the time coalition forces reached it. The main focus of military operations in the area in recent weeks had been the implementation of a weapons amnesty, and thereafter, the recovery of illegal weapons.
	These weapons searches were unpopular with the local population, although none had been conducted in the town itself. Local religious leaders had called for further searches to be resisted, and on 22 June, a 1 Para patrol in the town were faced with a hostile crowd of some 500 people. The soldiers fired baton rounds in order to enable them to be able to withdraw from the town. At a meeting the next day, officers from 1 Para agreed with the town council that weapons searches would be suspended, and that the council would itself take responsibility for recovering "heavy" weapons.
	With this agreement in place, the following day the RMP section "booked out" at around 0910, planning to visit three towns in the area—Al Majarr Al Kabir being the first. Routine force protection measures in place required that they should all be armed, should have their body armour and helmets with them, should have working communications, and that there should be at least two vehicles—in fact they had three.
	We judge that they would have reached the town at around 0940–0955, shortly before a 1 Para patrol also entered the town. We cannot yet be certain, but it may be that the attack on the Para patrol took place before the attack on the RMP. The attack on 1 Para commenced at around 1030, when the patrol was stoned by a large crowd. At some point a crowd also appears to have massed outside the police station. While attempting to move their vehicles inside the police compound, the RMP came under fire, and it seems at least one of them was killed at that point. The crowd evidently then stormed the police station. British forces were informed a short while later by local Iraqis that all six of the RMP personnel had been killed.
	We understand that attempts were made to contact the RMP section as events unfolded. This is one of the details we will be trying to establish as part of the investigation.
	In the follow-up to these incidents, Iraqi leaders in the province are continuing to work closely with us. We will not lose sight of our overall aim to support a better Iraq, and an Iraq that is for the Iraqi people. British forces in Iraq continue to do an excellent job in taking this important work forward.
	As they do so, our thoughts remain with those that have lost their lives, and their loved ones who mourn them. Bill

Defence Estates: Key Targets 2003–04

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What key targets have been set for Defence Estates in financial year 2003–04.

Lord Bach: As detailed in the Defence Estates corporate plan 2003–08, the following key targets have been set for the agency:
	(a) Key Target 1. To improve single living accommodation by delivering 1,000 grade 1 bedspaces under Project SLAM, and report on the provision of 1,500 bedspaces under parallel single living accommodation projects. To ensure that at least 65 per cent of MoD sites of special scientific interest in the United Kingdom meet the criteria for satisfactory condition;
	(b) Key Target 2. To provide an estate of the right size by producing and gaining agreement to a core sites implementation plan by 31 March 2004;
	(c) Key Target 3. To achieve accrued estates disposal receipts of £661 million by 31 March 2008, including £187 million by 31 March 2004;
	(d) Key Target 4. To achieve the key milestones planned during 2003–04 to allow for the implementation of the Ministry of Defence estates change initiatives of Project Alexander, Regional Prime Contracting and Project Aquatrine by 31 March 2006;
	(e) Key Target 5. Pursue activities leading to the sustainable use of MoD estate assets over time by implementing environmental management systems, on 40 per cent of all MoD sites by 31 March 2004.
	In addition, recognising the role of the agency in delivering a new way of managing the defence estate, the following development targets have been set for the agency to achieve by 31 March 2004:
	(a) To establish a new baseline of estate assets by function, condition and fitness for purpose;
	(b) To achieve the level of DE service delivery agreed in customer supplier agreements;
	(c) To produce a methodology for assessing value for money efficiencies from the introduction of prime contracting.
	Copies of the new Defence Estates corporate plan will be placed in the Library of the House.

Nuclear Industry

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the United Kingdom is represented, and, if so, at what level, on the Generation IV International Forum for the discussion of the next generation of nuclear electricity generating plants; and how the deliberations and recommendations of the forum are contributing to the Government's policy of keeping the nuclear option open.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The UK with eight other countries joined the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) in July 2001. The initiative foresaw a need for advanced nuclear energy systems in the future to help meet growing international demands for carbon free energy; and that to meet public concerns, future systems wherever deployed must meet exceptionally high standards of safety, sustainability and proliferation resistance, while operating economically in liberalised markets. The aim is to develop a framework for collaborative R&D on Generation IV reactor systems that could be deployed from around 2030. UK participation in the charter is without commitment to building a Generation IV design in the UK.
	Senior representatives from DTI, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and industry participate in GIF policy and expert groups. They ensure that UK nuclear technology and regulatory experience can be shared internationally and that DTI ministers and senior energy officials are kept fully apprised of the work of the forum.
	It will be for the Health and Safety Executive (with the approval of the Health and Safety Commission) to decide the appropriate level of the HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's involvement with any emerging research programmes relating to possible deployment of new designs in the UK in both the medium and long term.

Nuclear Industry

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will set out the level of spending by the Department of Trade and Industry on research and development on innovations in the nuclear generation of electricity over the three years 2000–03, and the level of such expenditure planned for the next three years.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: DTI-funded research into innovative fission reactors stopped in 1994 with the cessation of the fast reactor programme. No expenditure for research in this area is included in current DTI spending plans for the next three years. DTI funding is reviewed annually and support for research on innovative fission reactor systems will next be considered as part of the 2004 spending review, which covers the period 2005–08.
	It is expected that there will be opportunities over the next three years for researchers from industry and academia to receive funding for international collaboration on fission innovative reactors through the European Union's Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP6 Euratom) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) SUPERGEN Programme.
	DTI provides funding in the region of £16 million a year for the fusion energy research.

Nuclear Industry

Lord Jenkin of Roding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What nuclear research and development they are providing to enable both the nuclear industry and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to assess the merits of the new generation of nuclear plants, such as the advanced passive design reactors and the pebble bed modular high temperature reactors.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The assessment of new designs of nuclear plant, including the advanced passive designs and the pebble bed modular high temperature reactors, relies mainly on engaging existing knowledge/technology and is, in the first instance, a commercial matter for the nuclear industry.
	It is for the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to decide on what research should be undertaken to equip it to assess the merits as regards safety of designs of proposed new nuclear plant.

Food Supplements

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many nutrients and nutrient sources they expect to be removed from the United Kingdom market in July 2005 under the provisions of the Food Supplements Regulations.

Lord Warner: According to information provided by industry, around 300 nutrients and nutrient sources presently used in food supplements in the United Kingdom market are currently missing from the lists of permitted substances in the annexes to the Food Supplements Directive. Industry representatives have informed the Food Standards Agency that safety dossiers are currently being prepared to support the addition of 24 missing substances to the permitted lists. If each of those 24 dossiers, and no additional dossiers, are submitted to the European Commission by 12 July 2005, that would mean that sale of food supplements containing any of around 276 nutrients and nutrient sources would be prohibited from 1 August 2005.

Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, Manchester

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What equipment funding they have given to the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre in Manchester; what this funding represents as a percentage of the total cost of building, equipping, recruiting staff for and running the centre over the next five years; and whether, in consultation with Professors Pat Rice and Terry Jones, they will consider further funding in recognition of its status as a world-class centre of excellence in molecular imaging of patients to advance cancer treatment and the investigation of brain disorders.

Lord Warner: There is no direct National Health Service involvement in the funding of the Wolfson Centre. The centre is jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation, Cancer Research UK, the Christie Hospital Trust Charitable Fund and the University of Manchester.
	The centre has received funding from National Translational Cancer Research Network (NTRAC) Manchester to appoint three core posts: radiochemist, radiographer and a data analyst/modeller. Further funding from NTRAC Manchester will be decided at a local level.

Pulmonary Disease and Rehabilitation

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether pulmonary rehabilitation should be available to all patients who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and who would benefit from such treatment; and
	What proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are able to access pulmonary rehabilitation; and
	Whether current guidance on the provision of pulmonary rehabilitation is adequate; and
	Whether the current funding of pulmonary rehabilitation is adequate.

Lord Warner: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently developing a guideline on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary and secondary care. It is due to publish the guideline in 2004. In January 2003 the Respiratory Alliance published its guidance Bridging the Gap which aims to help primary care trusts to commission and deliver high quality allergy and respiratory care.
	A wide range of patients can benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. These include those with chronic lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, or lung tumours. Most pulmonary rehabilitation programmes include medical management, education, emotional support, exercise, breathing retraining, and nutritional counselling. The objective is to help people to gain the highest level of function and independence possible, and to improve overall quality of life. Local British Lung Foundation Breathe Easy groups often reinforce pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. There is now research evidence showing pulmonary rehabilitation programmes improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions.
	Information is not held centrally regarding the proportion of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who can access pulmonary rehabilitation. However, a recent survey by the British Lung Foundation and British Thoracic Society found that 160 out of 266 hospitals across the country provide some form of pulmonary rehabilitation to lung patients.
	Substantial new investment in both health and social care services were announced in the 2002 Budget. This amounts to the largest sustained increase in funding of any five-year period in the history of the National Health Service. Over the years 2003–04 to 2007–08, these plans mean that expenditure on the NHS in England will increase on average by 7.4 per cent a year over and above inflation—a total increase over the period of 43 per cent in real terms. This means that over the same five-year period, there will be an increase of £34 billion.
	It is the role of strategic health authorities, in partnership with primary care trusts, to decide what services to provide for their populations, including those with respiratory conditions. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them. bjc

Health Inequalities

Baroness Golding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish details of their implementation plans for tackling health inequalities in England.

Lord Warner: We are today publishing details of the Government's implementation plans for tackling health inequalities in England. The plans set out how our strategy (published on 15 November 2002) to narrow the health gap between disadvantaged groups, areas and the rest of the population will be delivered.
	Copies of the publication, Health inequalities; a programme of action, have been placed in the Library.

Modern Apprenticeships

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the numbers who completed a modern apprenticeship in each of the past five years in England and Northern Ireland.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Statistics on modern apprenticeships are collected and published in different ways in England and Northern Ireland and comparisons are difficult.
	In England, figures are not yet available for those completing a modern apprenticeship framework. These figures are due to be published for the first time on 24 July 2003. However, figures are available on the percentage of those leaving modern apprenticeships who gained a qualification. The latest full year for which advanced modern apprenticeship qualification information is available is August 1999 to July 2000. Foundation modern apprenticeship information is only available for August 1999 to July 2000.
	
		
			 Percentage of leavers from Advanced Modern Apprenticeships who:   
			  Gained any full/part qualification Gained any full qualification 
			 Aug 1995–Jul 1996 46 37 
			 Aug 1996–Jul 1997 52 43 
			 Aug 1997–Jul 1998 58 50 
			 Aug 1998–Jul 1999 67 60 
			 Aug 1999–Jul 2000 75 69 
		
	
	
		Percentage of leavers from Foundation Modern Apprenticeships who:
		
			  Gained any full/part qualification Gained any full qualification 
			 Aug 1999–Jul 2000 51 44 
		
	
	In Northern Ireland, a total of 2,800 young people have successfully completed a modern apprenticeship since the programme was introduced in 1996.

Teachers

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many extra teachers there were in England and Northern Ireland in 2002 compared with the number of teachers in 1992.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) regular teachers in the maintained sector in England rose from 394,000 in January 1992 to 419,600 in January 2002, an increase of 25,600. The provisional number of FTE regular teachers for January 2003 is 423,900. The provision of information on teachers in Northern Ireland is a matter for my right honourable and noble friend Lord Williams of Mostyn, the government spokesperson on all issues relating to Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Convictions forTV Licence Avoidance

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many convictions have been successful in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years for the viewing of a television set without a licence.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The number of convictions for installation or use of television without a licence recorded by TV Licensing in each of the past five years was:
	
		
			 Year Number of convictions 
			 1998 822 
			 1999 527 
			 2000 987 
			 2001 1,022 
			 2002 1,448

Gambling

Lord Waddington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to introduce legislation to reform the gambling laws.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: We will bring forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time permits. We also intend that Parliament should have an opportunity to give our proposals pre-legislative scrutiny and plan to publish draft clauses to that end.

National Heritage Memorial Fund: Quinquennial Review

Baroness Golding: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the report on the quinquennial review of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The review was published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The review is also available on the DCMS website (www.culture.gov.uk).
	The Government welcome the review, and agree that the National Heritage Memorial Fund should continue in existence, subject to modernisation.
	I am pleased to note the review's recognition of the important role of the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Pigs: Castration

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why castration of pigs as an excepted operation may be performed within Wales within four weeks but in England within eight days.

Lord Whitty: The amendment contained in the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) (Amendment) (No 2) (England) Order 2003 implements a provision of the Commission pig welfare Directive 2001/93/EC and changes the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, insofar as it extends to England only. The provision reduces to eight days the age from which an anaesthetic will be required when castrating pigs. Amendment of the 1954 Act is within the devolved competence of the National Assembly of Wales and will be enacted in Wales in the near future, in order to bring about the same age limit as now applies in England. bjc

Animal Products Imports: Review of Controls

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish a review of controls on the import of animal products for the financial year 2002–03.

Lord Whitty: As required under Section 10A of the 1981 Animal Health Act the Government will publish today a review of controls on the import of animal products for the financial year 2002–03.
	Government action during the period led to a threefold increase in the number of seizures of illegal imports of meat and animal products. This improvement was delivered by following three key principles: evidence based policy; investment in enforcement; and securing better public engagement and awareness.
	The publication of the results of an assessment of the risks of foot and mouth disease entering the country through illegally imported meat has provided a basis to inform policy and help target enforcement.
	Additional resources were provided to existing enforcement agencies pending a review of enforcement structures that resulted in the transfer to HM Customs and Excise of responsibility for prevention of smuggling of these goods. A publicity campaign was run using a variety of methods to capture public attention.
	Looking to the future, the review describes the development of a new enforcement strategy at borders designed to respond better to changing risks and intelligence. Awareness and partnership building will continue both in the UK and in the international arena. Progress on all activities will be closely monitored.
	Copies of the review will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and on the Defra Illegal Imports website (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/illegali/).
	The total amount spent on the illegal imports programme for 2002–03 was just over £3.7 million.

Livestock Movement Regime

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will announce the livestock movement regime to apply from 1 August 2003.

Lord Whitty: The Government made a statement on 23 January 2003 Official Report, cols WS21–23, on the risk assessment work carried out following the two independent inquiries into the FMD outbreak, setting out the future work on bio-security and other issues they proposed and announcing their conclusions on the livestock movement regime to be put in place for the spring.
	On the condition that the farming industry worked towards improved disease protection and control, the Government announced a move to a six-day standstill for cattle, sheep and goats from March. However, key elements of the regime lapse on 1 August. The future standing arrangements therefore need to be determined now, in the light of the work done since that earlier decision, and other factors. The Risk Assessment
	The Government now have two epidemiological reports based on different modelling techniques, an analysis of the costs of an outbreak and an integration report bringing these elements together in a formal cost benefit analysis. These are all independent reports which have been peer reviewed.
	The key lessons from this work are:
	the most significant single factor in reducing the size of an outbreak is early detection of disease;
	a 20-day standstill regime does not appear justified on cost benefit grounds unless more than one large outbreak every five years can be expected;
	a six-day standstill cannot be justified on cost benefit grounds alone unless outbreaks are expected more frequently than around one in 12 years (and on some assumptions they would need to be even more frequent);
	however, even if outbreaks occurred only once in 20 years, the six-day standstill is not greatly more expensive than a zero standstill policy; and standstill regimes do effectively reduce the size (and therefore the cost) of outbreaks, especially the more extreme outbreaks such as that in 2001. Other Factors
	The Government do not believe that they can determine future arrangements solely on the basis of this cost/benefit analysis. There is a strong case for a standstill as part of the livestock movements regime on precautionary grounds.
	The Government's veterinary advisors are clear that a longer standstill is more effective in capping disease outbreaks but a six-day standstill is better than zero days because it reduces the spread of disease and increases the chances of early detection. Any standstill regime would also help protect against the spread of other diseases and foster improved animal welfare more generally. The Decision
	The Government therefore support a standstill period as a valuable long-term element in the movement regime. However, the cost/benefit analysis clearly shows that a return to the 20-day standstill for cattle, sheep and goats could only be justified under very unlikely scenarios. The Government have therefore decided that the standing regime from 1 August should be based on a six-day standstill.
	The existing arrangements for pigs will continue, except that the arrival of a pig on a mixed holding will impose a 20-day standstill on any other pig on the holding, but only a six-day standstill on any cattle, sheep or goats there. Exceptions
	The Government have listened carefully to arguments for specific exceptions to the general arrangements and have made some provisions where necessary. For this reason, an exemption was introduced on 30 May for show animals.
	The Government now propose to introduce a further specific modification to the regime to facilitate the autumn sale and trading of male breeding livestock. In future, male breeding rams and bulls may move onto a farm during the period August to November without triggering a general six-day standstill for the farm, so long as it goes into a Defra-approved isolation facility, provided that a six-day standstill applies to all livestock in that facility. Similarly they will be allowed to move from a farm under standstill to a market if placed in a Defra-approved isolation facility for six days beforehand. Similar arrangements will be put in place for goats. The Government believe that this new arrangement strikes the right balance between ensuring that farmers can trade successfully and ensuring that autumn breeder markets do not become a centre of disease spread. Detection and Biosecurity
	The Government have made it clear that progress needs to be made to improve detection and biosecurity. They consulted recently on how to achieve this. As a result, from 1 August, there will be a limit of 48 hours for animals staying on market premises. There will also be some minor changes to the legislation on empty vehicles leaving markets without first cleansing and disinfecting.
	Work on veterinary farm inspections, the presence of vets at markets, cleaning and disinfection at markets, the role of dealers and distance limits will continue over the coming months in the context of the Government's animal health and welfare strategy. In particular, we will investigate the proposals for a veterinary presence at markets and the possibility of annual veterinary visits to farms, as part of our draft action plan to take forward animal disease prevention and control in partnership with industry and other key stakeholders. We hope to consult on a draft plan in July 2003.